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Tigers can't pull off upset of Firebirds

October 5, 2007

The DeKalb County High School Tiger football team was smelling an upset, Friday night, against the sixth-ranked team in the state, the Pearl-Cohn Firebirds. The Tigers played toe-to-toe with the reigning Region 4-3A champs for three-plus quarters, but the Firebirds put up two fourth quarter scores to pull away for a 26-7 victory.

DeKalb County had several missed opportunities in the game, as the team was able to drive the ball into Firebird territory five times in the first half, yet only came away with seven points. Pearl-Cohn built a 14-0 lead, in the process, as they jumped ahead on QB Deaunte Mason's one-yard sneak, with 6:36 left in the first quarter, and added another score on Mason's 17-yard pass to Jarvis Roberts, with 7:38 to go in the second quarter.

The Tigers answered the second Firebird touchdown, as Hunter Poteete hooked up with Abram Edwards on a 26-yard touchdown pass, with 5:09 to go in th half, which made it a 14-7 game, after Juan Ruiz nailed the extra point.

Neither team would score again until the fourth quarter, but both had some missed opportunities. The Tigers crossed the 50 two more times, but came away empty-handed for the half. Pearl-Cohn finally broke the ice, with 7:50 left in the game, as Rodshawn Beard broke loose on a 27-yard touchdown run. The extra point was no good, but the Firebirds extended their lead to 20-7.

DeKalb County took the ball to the Pearl-Cohn 25-yard line on the ensuing drive, but the Firebird defense stepped up and denied the Tigers' on a fourth down and eight situation, with 3:01 left in the contest. Mason took off, two plays later, on a 68-yard sprint to the end zone, which put the final points on the board.

The Tigers ran for 78 yards on 27 carries, led by Poteete, with 64 yards on 17 carries. Pearl-Cohn rushed for 315 yards on 28 carries, led by Mason, who had 114 yards on seven carries, with two touchdowns.

Poteete hit on 18-of-32 passes in the game, for 218 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Mason, the highly-touted Firebird QB, completed just 5-of-11 passes, for 67 yards, with one touchdown.

Collin Patterson led the Tiger receivers with eight pass receptions for 72 yards.

The Tigers fall to 0-6 overall on the season, and to 0-3 in Region 4-3A. DeKalb County will step out of region and visit the Upperman Bees, next Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.